Olde Towne Portsmouth is for Kids!

This is the perfect season for family outings in the fresh air and sunshine! Olde Towne Portsmouth offers a number of opportunities, many of which are free and only a short stroll from each other. Join Portsmouth’s own Colonial Kids as they spend a day in Virginia’s Historic Seaport.

Park on High Street or in the Middle Street Garage behind the Portsmouth Welcome Center, at 441 Middle Street. Stop in the Welcome Center to collect the Toads on High Street Brochure or download it here.  Cross over to the Children’s Museum of Virginia and start your hunt by playing on the frog sculpture there. If you kiss him, he may turn into a prince!

Pretend to read with your friends and have a photo op on the bench of the lovely sculpture right off the Children’s Museum of Virginia entrance.

Next, move to the back of the courtyard for another photo op in front of the wings there.

Free play on the concrete squares and play the piano outside Olde Towne Arts and Music. Then, move down High Street to Court Street and enjoy your frog scavenger hunt while Mom and Dad window shop.

As you come back up the other side, stop in the Portsmouth Arts and Cultural Center courtyard for a short break and take in the holiday decorations. Dance, check the time, or warm yourself by the outdoor fire too!

Have a fairy garden? Purchase an accessory from Twisted Art and enjoy a free mini-workshop as you sit to decorate your new piece. Next door, The Little Shoppes has a variety of unique toys to occupy your children while you browse.

Walk two blocks up Middle Street where you can slide, twirl, and swing to your heart’s content at the Middle Street Playground. Choose a new book at the Free Little Library on the corner of Middle and Glasgow streets.

Finish up with a picnic on the Village Green. Please, don’t forget to throw away your trash!

After your picnic, if you’re up for more adventure, travel straight up Glasgow Street to the Lafayette Arch. Walk one block right to London and take the path around Lightship Portsmouth to the seawall. Notice the flashing beacon atop its mast!

Play on the cannons along the seawall and in front of the Shipyard Museum. Ride the Elizabeth River Ferry. Children under 12 are free! A round trip adult ticket is only $4 for a half an hour ride on the river. While you’re waiting for the ferry to arrive, check out the Fresnel Lens, located on the water beside Legend Brewing Depot. Its prisms reflected candlelight and like Lightship Portsmouth, warned ships of danger.

On your way back to the parking garage, be sure to say hello to Portsmouth’s founder, Colonel William Crawford and thank him for creating such a great place for kids to have fun!